Evaluation of exposure to multiple organic pollutants in riparian communities of the Brazilian Amazon: Screening levels and potential health risks

Author(s)

Gonzalez, Neus ; Souza, Marilia Cristina Oliveira ; Cezarette, Gabriel Neves ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ; Devoz, Paula Picoli ; dos Santos, Lucas Cassulatti ; Barcelos, Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron ; Nadal, Marti ; Domingo, Jose L. ; Barbosa, Fernando, Jr.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 908, p. 13-pg., 2023-11-08.

Abstract

Organic pollutants are widely distributed in the environment. Due to their physical and chemical characteristics, they tend to be biomagnified in food chains, mainly in aquatic organisms. Therefore, food consumption is a significant route of lifelong exposure. Although the Amazon River basin contains the highest freshwater biodi-versity on Earth, there is scarce literature focusing on the levels of organic pollutants in the local population. The present study was aimed at assessing the levels of several environmental pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hy-drocarbons, bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones) in urine samples from riverside communities along the Tapaj ' os and Amazon Rivers in the Brazilian Amazon region. The results show a 100 % detection of naphthalene metabolites (namely, 1-hydroxy-naphthalene (1OH-NAP), 2-hydroxy-naphthalene (2OH-NAP)), with the highest levels belonging to benzylparaben (BzP) (17.3 ng/mL). Gender-specific analysis revealed that women had significantly higher levels of certain PAH metabolites (i.e., 1OH-NAP and 2-hydroxy-fluorene (2OH-FLU)) than men. In turn, most of the evaluated compounds were higher in urine samples from people living near the Amazon River, which presents increased traffic of boats and ships than the Tapaj ' os River. On the other hand, the human health risk assessment suggested that all communities are at risk of suffering non-carcinogenic effects from exposure to PAHs. At the same time, they are also at risk of carcinogenic effects from exposure to benzo[a]pyrene metabolites. Thus, further studies are needed in order to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to a mixture of these organic pollutants and other contaminants present in the area, such as mercury. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/07994-8 - Determination of fifty-eight aromatic amines in textile products and assessment of pregnant women exposure
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 23/11634-2 - Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food: a public health risk assessment and creation of a risk-benefit tool for Brazilian consumers
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Generation Project
• FAPESP's process: 19/07161-6 - Exposure evaluation to pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and toxic elements in Brazilian children: establishment of reference values and possible association with oxidative stress biomarkers.
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/06443-0 - Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of pesticides and legacy pollutants in food: a public health risk assessment and creation of a risk-benefit tool for Brazilian consumers
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Generation Project Research Grant